Palmerton borough council Questions raised on road issues

Motorists who enter Palmerton will be glad to know a portion of Delaware Avenue that has become a washboard due to various bumps in the road is scheduled for improvements.

The matter was brought up for discussion by resident Adam Malik, who questioned borough council on Thursday about the condition of the road as motorists enter the downtown business district.

Malik, the husband of Councilwoman Sherri Malik, asked council how it plans to fix the bumps on the road, specifically in front of Shea's Hardware store in the 200 block of Delaware Ave.

Councilman Chris Olivia said the matter should be addressed at some point.

"We're on the list," Olivia said. "They're going to mill it down from Spillane's (variety store) down to the stop light."

Olivia said the work is on the state Department of Transportation's list of to do projects.

"Delaware Avenue is on the five-year plan to get the whole street blacktopped," he said. "It's a state highway."

Adam Malik also expressed concerns with vehicles that exit alleys.

"We keep exiting into alleys. When do we say this has to become a one-way street for safety?" he asked. "We keep bringing more traffic into these alleys. I think they should enter Delaware, not exit. I think it's a safety issue."

Malik then questioned whether the borough has any money set aside for snow removal because the alleys are "impassable" after a winter storm.

But, council President Terry Costenbader told Malik the borough's roads are in much better shape after a winter storm than in most local municipalities.

Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the borough does place more of an emphasis on clearing the main streets before it does alleys.

"We do prioritize our traffic routine," Danielson said. "The business district has always been the priority."

Malik said the borough should take after Lehighton, which requires a permit for snow removal.